KBEM

StationAccount image
Recognized as the Twin Cities’ public radio voice for jazz and education, KBEM is a program of the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) Approximately 150 students annually participate in KBEM’s hands-on educational program, which focuses on all aspects of broadcasting and production. Students who develop their skills and select broadcasting experience can gain significant on-air time. The station is on-air 24/7 with 35 hours of student programming each week, with live professional announcers and pre-recorded, syndicated programming filling out the rest of the schedule. KBEM is the only station in the Twin Cities market which offers a jazz format and officially provides MN-DOT traffic reports.

KBEM was initially established at Minneapolis Vocational High School in the 1960s. The station was moved to North High School in 1983 as a part of the District’s desegregation initiative and it continues to reside there today. The vast majority of KBEM students attend North High School.

Series

Caption: Acme Big Band
1 Piece

This progam features Minnesota Big Bands, including the Nova Big Band, the Acme Big Band and the University of Minnesota. Twenty-five Big Bands in Minnesota have recorded CDs. Interviews with local Big Band personalities are presented occasionally.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Mar 23, 2010
Caption: PRX default Series image
3 Pieces

Minneapolis high school students script and read 60-second pieces based on research into important figures in African American history.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Feb 11, 2010
Caption: PRX default Series image
4 Pieces

"Classic Jazz MN" is a series exploring Minnesota's classic jazz roots. The series includes shows on Doc Evans, Doc Evans at the Walker Art Center, Preservation Hall Era and the Emporium of Jazz. Written and produced by Butch Thompson. Co-produced by Todd Melby.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Nov 23, 2011
Caption: Jazz At MPS with Josh Jones and the Dynamics
24 Pieces

Jazz music from students in the Minneapolis Public Schools.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Jul 24, 2013
Caption: South High School Jazz Band-director/Scott Carter with guest Irvin Mayfield
6 Pieces

Jazz at South High features music from past and present South High Jazz Ensembles and brand new recordings by the South High Jazz Combo. Each week's show will feature never before heard performances of the South High Jazz Combo that are recorded at South High.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Jan 03, 2013
Caption: KBEM Jazz 88 FM, Credit: http://www.jazz88fm.com
4 Pieces

The Twin Cities Jazz Society annually presents a series of concerts by local artists. Jazz 88 chose six of these concerts to record for broadcast.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Apr 12, 2010
Caption: Butch at the Steinway, Credit: Ross Ayoka
4 Pieces

Butch Thompson hosts this program that features original jazz recordings and the occasional live performance.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Apr 24, 2011
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12 Pieces

Long-form interviews and performances by Minnesota musicians

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Nov 14, 2018
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12 Pieces

Junctions & Sidetracks, the story behind the creation of Empire Builder a musical about a time traveling train. Conversations about family, history, race and forgiveness. Music by George Mauer. Libretto by Ann Bertram. Funded by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: Mar 28, 2019
Series image
31 Pieces

From humble beginnings in 1970, KBEM-FM has become the most powerful and longest-lasting radio station owned by a Minnesota school district, and one of the nation’s leading broadcast voices for jazz. Explore the people, places and events that have shaped KBEM’s first 50 years in this audio series.

  • From: KBEM
  • Updated: May 02, 2022

Latest Pieces

Caption: Minn Jazz Legends 2023, Credit: Andrea Canter
Join Patty Peterson as she honors some of our most notable jazz musicians. This broadcast of Minnesota Jazz Legends was recorded live at The Minnes...

  • Added: Jun 30, 2023
  • Length: 58:29
Caption: Maud Hixson, Credit: Olivia Wilcox
Maud Hixson is known for her shows which highlight some of our greatest music icons. Coming up this Saturday, July 1, Maud is singing songs of Henr...

  • Added: Jun 19, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Buddhist Priest, Credit: Tyler Croat
To play free Jazz, you have to monitor what your fellow musicians are doing. So says Dave power, the percussionist of Buddhist Priest, along with b...

  • Added: Jun 15, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Buddhist Priest, Credit: Tyler Croat
To play free Jazz, you have to monitor what your fellow musicians are doing. So says Dave power, the percussionist of Buddhist Priest, along with b...

  • Added: Jun 15, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Will Aldrich Quintet, Credit: Benny Moreno
They’re calling themselves the Will Aldrich quintet, with Will and Gabe Hartnett playing saxophones, Rafi Karpowitz on the piano, Callum Schultz on...

  • Added: Jun 13, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Will Aldrich Quintet, Credit: Benny Moreno
They’re calling themselves the Will Aldrich quintet, with Will and Gabe Hartnett playing saxophones, Rafi Karpowitz on the piano, Callum Schultz on...

  • Added: Jun 13, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Michael Maiorana , Credit: Mandy Faccett
Michael Maiorana is a Twin Cities Composer who does what few others do: Michael composes for bass and cello, low-tone instruments most associate wi...

  • Added: Jun 08, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Michael Maiorana , Credit: Mandy Faccett
The focus is on compositions for bass and cello on this year’s first Vanguard New Music Series concert, this Friday at 7 at Zion Lutheran Church in...

  • Added: Jun 08, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Kathleen Johnson in center, Credit: David Eisert
Kathleen Johnson leads a group of Twin Cities vocalists who should be better known into the Dakota in Minneapolis, Friday night June 16 at 7PM. The...

  • Added: Jun 07, 2023
  • Length: 08:00
Caption: Lori Dokken  , Credit: Jennifer Bong
Lori Dokken is not only for her singing, playing and arranging, but for curating musical events. Her next one is called the Say Gay All Day Cabaret...

  • Added: Jun 01, 2023
  • Length: 08:00